A/N-Sorry about the small delay, there's a festival going on in my city, and you simply have to go. But once again, thanks to my reviewers! Wow, there's so many…just look up at that big number at the top of the screen there…

Disclaimer-The nouns you recognize don't belong to me.

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Daine woke up from her deep slumber when the morning rays of sunshine sprang across her face. She slowly opened her eyes, quickly remembering that today was the day that she, or more like Kalasin, had to be introduced at court.

She turned over, and was not surprised that Kaddar wasn't there. Didn't he say that he was going to send someone to help her 'get ready' or something?

She had to nearly shove herself upright. The bed was the nicest thing she had ever slept on, with silk sheets and…no, she couldn't think about the bed, or else she would fall right back asleep. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.

Daine slid herself out of the bed, and her feet made a quiet thunk as they hit the floor. She had absolutely no idea of what to wear, so she just stayed in the nightgown of Kalasin's. She spent the next few minutes brushing her hair, and was surprised at how easily the brush moved through her hair. Usually with her regular hair it was more like attacking her hair than brushing it.

As soon as she put down the brush, happy with her work, a timid knock sounded at the door.

"Come in!" Daine called, guessing it would be the person designated to help her.

In walked the slave, once again without a top on.

Daine put her face into the palm of her hand. Kaddar had some serious explaining to do.

Without looking at the slave, Daine went to Kalasin's bags, where she drew out another fine tunic and a skirt. The tunic was made of red velvet, although the skirt of red silk. It was embroiled with fine designs.

"Take them," the older girl said, handing the garments to the slave.

"No-nobility! I cann-not take such fi-fine garments!" The slave was aware that she had had this conversation only weeks ago.

"I'm sorry, but I order you to."

The slave took the garments and slid them over her frail body. Her hands were shaking. When she finished, Daine took a step back to admire what the clothes did.

The girl had no hair, although it didn't diminish the effect at all. The clothes framed her frail body, creating a gentle look for the girl. The reds accented her blue eyes and strong nose.

Daine smiled. Not bad, not bad at all.

"So I take it you are here to help me?" Daine said. The slave nodded.

"Ple-please fo-follow me, Nobility."

Of course it wasn't really following, as Daine had to lead the way as the slave insisted she walk behind, but it was nice to stretch her legs.

They hadn't been walking through the gray hallways for long. On the second floor, the slave timidly said to stop outside of double doors, with one guard protecting it. At the sight of Kalasin, the guard nodded, banged his staff three times, grabbed one of the delicate handles and opened it. She and the slave walked through.

"Don't announce me," she said to the guard. She wanted to attract as least attention as possible.

Daine was slightly surprised. It was like the public baths in Tortall. There was one massive bath, bigger than the one in her room, and another small one nearby. Steam was rising up from both of them. Women, obviously royal, were situated in the baths or nearby chairs, probably talking, Daine decided, about how the latest woman at court was causing a scandal. She noticed adjoining rooms, but she couldn't see into them due to the steam.

'Is this a spa?" Daine asked.

"Ye-yes Nobility. It is-is where any wo-woman of no-noble birth go before at-attending a-a royal party or-or ball."

Her stomach growel, and before anything else she made her way over to a glass table that had strawberries and other fruits on it.

Once she had consumed enough fruit to last for a while, she had no idea of what to do first. She asked the slave.

"It-it is customary to bathe firs-first, Nobility."

After bathing, she had a mud bath, which was quite uncomfortable. She then realized that she would have to have her nails and hair done, which meant having the other woman here know about her.

"Now or never," she said to herself. She went up to the manicurist, who obviously recognized her. The manicurist screeched loudly.

"Princess! Princess! What an honor it is to have you here!"

The screech had attracted all of the other patrons, who gathered around. They muttered whispers "The new Empress?" and "Is it really her?"

All of a sudden, everyone wanted a manicure to sit beside or near the princess.

The original manicurist was obviously overjoyed at the prospect of having the princess here.

"Oh what will I tell my family, Nobility? That I touched the princess? My name –if you care to hear it-is Sanika, Nobility."

Daine spent the next hour listening to Sanika's voice, talking about the latest fashions and trends. Sometimes other woman nearby would talk with her for moments. It was strange, how these woman, fifteen or twenty years her senior, treated her above themselves.

The room she was in was all pink. Every single thing. From the walls, floor, chairs, utensils everything was pink. Poor Daine wanted to vomit.

When that was finished, Daine wanted to let out a sigh of enjoyment that it was over. She wasn't one to be coddled over.

"Hair!" shrieked Sanika's sickenly-high voice called.

She was caught in a movement of chaos. All of the patrons getting manicures suddenly wanted their hair styled. Sanika guided her into another room, where she sat Daine down into a chair that was extremely comfortable.

This room, on the contrary, was all green. It wasn't as bright as the other room, to Daine's relief. The other chairs quickly filled up with other woman, who immediately tried to make small talk with her. At that moment, all Daine wanted was to be in the stables.

The hairdressers started on their hair. The hairdressers matched the room, as their clothes were all green. Luckily for Daine, the hairdresser was not like Sanika. She put all of her effort into Daine's hair.

"Now," the hairdresser said, "for the beads."

"Beads?" asked Daine. She didn't like the sound of that.

"Oh of course. You take all of your hair and string beads into it. It is quite an astonishing effect in the end."

If I put beads into my hair, Daine thought, than they will accept the real Kalasin when she comes back, as it will change the way I look.

"Sure," she said.

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When the hairdresser finally allowed Daine to see her reflection, she gasped. It looked almost not bad. The beads were the Carthaki reds and yellows, and framed her face nicely. All of the other woman, who had finished long ago, came into her sight as they exclaimed how beautiful it looked.

"But what about a dress?" one of the woman called out.

A quiet voice said, "Th-the Emperor has-as insisted she wear this."

It was the slave. Daine hadn't noticed her leaving, but had come back with a dress. The girl held it by the shoulders for everyone to see.

It was a soft yellow pastel color. It had tight fitting sleeves up until the elbow, where it flared outwards. The bodice looked tight fitting, with an even lighter yellow lace around it. The skirt billowed out from the bodice like sunrays. All in all, it was like a little piece of the sun had fallen from the sky, and a tailor had picked it up and made this.

The entire room started applauding, whilst Daine simply blushed at all of tthis attention to only her.

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Fortunately, Numair had brought a suit with him to Carthak. He normally would never have brought it, but Thayet had made him.

He looked himself over in the looking glass. It was a sharp image in the glass, one that nearly shouted don't mess with me.

Living in Carthak for a number of years, he knew his way around. He easily made his way to the palace through the dark and cramped main streets. Numerous times he was almost pock-picketed, but had caught all of the thieves. He passed them a coin and sent them on their way with a bemused look.

Finally, he arrived at the palace. From his point of view, it was massive: stretching out in three different directions, with five floors. Towers and observatories were abundant, with the exception of the west wing, which was simply not there.

He noticed a trail of nobles heading to the main gate. They were on the finest steeds, and had only the finest clothes. Every thing about them was fine. Every person was stopped, checked on the list and cleared.

He had to figure a way in. He couldn't change form-his clothes would be gone, and he could only imagine the look on the nobles faces as he walked in naked. He decided for an illusion spell.

Making himself invisible, he waited beside a lord, who was just at the gate now. When the gates opened for him and his wife, Numair sneaked in, un-noticed. He could only stay this way momentarily; it cost a lot of magic to stay this way.

But for now, he was safe.

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A/N-Not my favorite chapter, but it's one of those necessary chapters that you need but don't want. I like the detail, though. I've spell-checked this, although something may have been missed. Well, please review. And be nice. Please? At least I updated. The next chapter will be a good one, I hope.